Nisha Pandey

Rare Inflammatory Disease Mimicked TB In Vizag Man For 6 Years: What Is Kikuchi-Fujimoto Disease?

A 32-year-old man from <span>Visakhapatnam</span> was treated repeatedly for suspected tuberculosis for nearly six years before doctors diagnosed him with a rare inflammatory disease called <span>Kikuchi-Fujimoto</span> disease. 

The man complained of recurrent swelling of his lymph nodes and was treated for tuberculosis despite the symptoms continuing to return. 

In 2026, he was treated at <span>KIMS Hospitals</span> after developing a painful swelling in his right armpit. A lymph-node biopsy eventually led to the diagnosis of Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease. 

The case highlights a concerning but noteworthy issue of misdiagnosis, especially when a rare condition resembles infections like TB and even certain cancers. 

<h2>Kikuchi-Fujimoto Disease Affects Lymph Nodes </h2>

<a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/fournier-gangrene-woman-develops-rare-flesh-eating-infection-after-bikini-shave-herbal-application-article-155608935" data-type="tilCustomLink">Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease</a>, also known as histiocytic necrotising lymphadenitis, is a rare and generally benign inflammatory disorder that affects the lymph nodes. 

It is most commonly seen in young adults and frequently involves the lymph nodes in the neck. It is characterised by fever and tender lymph-node swelling. Some patients may also experience fatigue, weight loss, night sweats, or skin rashes. 

The exact cause of the disease is still unknown. Researchers have proposed that infections may trigger an abnormal immune response, but no single infectious agent has been established as the cause.

Also read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/tb-usually-attacks-the-lungs-but-it-can-affect-the-skin-too-1-5-people-are-living-with-the-struggle-article-151294614" data-type="tilCustomLink">TB Usually Attacks The Lungs, But It Can Affect The Skin Too- 1.5% People Are Living With The Struggle</a>

<h2><span rel="noindex">Kikuchi</span> Disease Can Be Mistaken For TB And Cancer</h2>

The condition can be particularly difficult to distinguish from other causes of enlarged lymph nodes. In countries like India, where tuberculosis is common, TB lymphadenitis is widely suspected when someone develops persistent or recurrent <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/lymphedema-is-more-than-just-swelling-why-early-treatment-can-make-a-difference-article-155487021" data-type="tilCustomLink">lymph-node swelling</a>. 

Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease can present with similar symptoms and inflammatory changes. There have been documented cases in which KFD was initially mistaken for tuberculosis. It can also resemble lymphoma and lymph-node involvement associated with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). 

Kikuchi disease is not cancer, but its presentation can sometimes look similar to lymphoma, particularly when a patient has persistent lymph-node enlargement. This is one reason doctors may need a biopsy rather than relying only on symptoms or imaging.

Also read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/every-cough-or-episode-of-breathlessness-is-not-asthma-article-155318539" data-type="tilCustomLink">Every Cough Or Episode Of Breathlessness Is Not Asthma</a> 

<h2>How Is Kikuchi Disease Diagnosed? </h2>

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There is no specific blood test that can definitively diagnose Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease. Doctors generally rely on histopathological examination of an affected lymph node, usually following an excisional biopsy. 

Under the microscope, characteristic areas of necrosis and specific immune cells called histiocytes and plasmacytoid dendritic cells can help establish the diagnosis. The absence of certain inflammatory cells, particularly neutrophils, also helps distinguish KFD from some infections. This is noteworthy as just the presence of an enlarged lymph node cannot reveal its underlying cause. 

Symptoms of this disease generally improve without aggressive treatment, and with supportive care, including medicines to control pain and fever. Corticosteroids may be considered in severe or complicated cases. 

However, patients diagnosed with KFD may need follow-up as it is associated with <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/air-pollution-may-increase-the-risk-of-painful-rheumatoid-arthritis-flares-study-finds-article-155322612" data-type="tilCustomLink">autoimmune conditions</a>, particularly systemic lupus erythematosus. 

<h2><span rel="noindex">Vizag Case</span> Puts Focus On The Importance Of Reassessment </h2>

The Visakhapatnam man's prolonged treatment for suspected <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/new-blood-test-could-detect-tuberculosis-much-earlier-can-help-in-speeding-up-treatment-study-article-155208956" data-type="tilCustomLink">TB</a> illustrates the difficulty of diagnosing rare inflammatory diseases when their symptoms overlap with more common conditions. 

Persistent or recurring lymph-node swelling despite treatment should prompt doctors to reassess the diagnosis and consider other possibilities, including inflammatory disorders, autoimmune disease and malignancy.

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A 32-year-old man from Visakhapatnam was treated repeatedly for suspected tuberculosis for nearly six years before doctors diagnosed him with a rare inflammatory disease called Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease. The man complained of recurrent swelling of his lymph nodes and was treated for tuberculosis despite the symptoms continuing to return. In 2026, he was treated at KIMS Hospitals after developing a painful swelling in his right armpit. A lymph-node biopsy eventually led to the diagnosis of Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease. The case highlights a concerning but noteworthy issue of misdiagnosis, especially when a rare condition resembles infections like TB and even certain cancers. Kikuchi-Fujimoto Disease Affects Lymph Nodes Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease, also known as histiocytic necrotising lymphadenitis, is a rare and generally benign inflammatory disorder that affects the lymph nodes. It is most commonly seen in young adults and frequently involves the lymph nodes in the neck. It is characterised by fever and tender lymph-node swelling. Some patients may also experience fatigue, weight loss, night sweats, or skin rashes. The exact cause of the disease is still unknown. Researchers have proposed that infections may trigger an abnormal immune response, but no single infectious agent has been established as the cause.Also read: TB Usually Attacks The Lungs, But It Can Affect The Skin Too- 1.5% People Are Living With The StruggleKikuchi Disease Can Be Mistaken For TB And CancerThe condition can be particularly difficult to distinguish from other causes of enlarged lymph nodes. In countries like India, where tuberculosis is common, TB lymphadenitis is widely suspected when someone develops persistent or recurrent lymph-node swelling. Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease can present with similar symptoms and inflammatory changes. There have been documented cases in which KFD was initially mistaken for tuberculosis. It can also resemble lymphoma and lymph-node involvement associated with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Kikuchi disease is not cancer, but its presentation can sometimes look similar to lymphoma, particularly when a patient has persistent lymph-node enlargement. This is one reason doctors may need a biopsy rather than relying only on symptoms or imaging.Also read: Every Cough Or Episode Of Breathlessness Is Not Asthma How Is Kikuchi Disease Diagnosed?          There is no specific blood test that can definitively diagnose Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease. Doctors generally rely on histopathological examination of an affected lymph node, usually following an excisional biopsy. Under the microscope, characteristic areas of necrosis and specific immune cells called histiocytes and plasmacytoid dendritic cells can help establish the diagnosis. The absence of certain inflammatory cells, particularly neutrophils, also helps distinguish KFD from some infections. This is noteworthy as just the presence of an enlarged lymph node cannot reveal its underlying cause. Symptoms of this disease generally improve without aggressive treatment, and with supportive care, including medicines to control pain and fever. Corticosteroids may be considered in severe or complicated cases. However, patients diagnosed with KFD may need follow-up as it is associated with autoimmune conditions, particularly systemic lupus erythematosus. Vizag Case Puts Focus On The Importance Of Reassessment The Visakhapatnam man's prolonged treatment for suspected TB illustrates the difficulty of diagnosing rare inflammatory diseases when their symptoms overlap with more common conditions. Persistent or recurring lymph-node swelling despite treatment should prompt doctors to reassess the diagnosis and consider other possibilities, including inflammatory disorders, autoimmune disease and malignancy.

rare inflammatory disease mimicked tb in vizag man for 6 years: what is kikuchi-fujimoto disease?

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Rare Inflammatory Disease Mimicked TB In Vizag Man For 6 Years: What Is Kikuchi-Fujimoto Disease?

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From Dog Food To Fruit Bars: Over 10 Products Recalled In US Over Contamination

Rare Inflammatory Disease Mimicked TB In Vizag Man For 6 Years: What Is Kikuchi-Fujimoto Disease?

After Diageo, FSSAI Inspects Pernod Ricard Plant, Tests Whisky Samples